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Desert God marches on relentlessly

By: Frankel   September 24 , 2016
   

Padmanabhan trained Desert God created racing history by becoming the only four-year-old in the history of Indian racing to gross over Rs 7 crores in stakes money when he decimated the opposition in the Gr 1 Gourmet Renaissance Indian St Leger, the last Indian classic, held at Pune on Saturday. Desert God was not expected to face any resistance enroute to his ninth straight group race win which equalled another great Squanderer`s record. The progeny of Desert God proved that he is head and shoulders above his contemporaries by having the race won at the top of the straight itself. It was a commanding performance from one of the best thoroughbreds that Indian racing has seen.

Desert God was expected to complete the formalities of going through with the motions of traveling the gruelling trip of 2800 metres. After the hard race in heavy underfoot conditions at Hyderabad where he beaten another great Alaindair, trainer Padmanabhan was in two minds whether to run the colt in this race or not. But Desert God had taken the race without any toll and the way he showed out after arriving in Pune gave confidence for the trainer to let his ward have a go at another prestigious classic. Desert God tracked runaway leader Jigsaw into the straight and even before the crossing the final two furlongs, jockey Sandesh could cheekily look back to see how far behind the rivals were. It was clear that Desert God was not going to be conquered by any of the others who occupied the other places on the frame on sufferance.
  
  


Desert God was quoted at very cramped odds, with Colombia who is strangely rated higher than the champion being next in demand at four to one to win, the higher rating and the final entry giving some sort of respectability to the latter`s chances. Jigsaw went on a runaway mission and had a break of more than 15 lengths over Desert God on whom Sandesh sat unperturbed while the rest were spaced out behind. Sandesh made his move approaching the final bend and Desert God smoothly cruised into the lead and thereafter it was a procession of sorts as the champion checked in by a widening margin of seven lengths over Colombiana who came from a long way back to occupy the second place. Jigsaw stayed on to grab the third place ahead of B Fifty-Two. It was clear that the other runners in the fray were only to make up the numbers as Desert God was in a league of his own. Incidentally, Desert God`s dam Running Flame had won this race several years but had lost the winning position due to an objection by the rider of Saddle Up.

Hoshidar Daji trained Critic`s Choice had recorded such an impressive win that a repeat win was on cards as Sydney Harbour who was expected to run a game race had reportedly dropped form and had not shown any improvement since going from Bangalore. Backed to the exclusion of the rest to win the 1200 metres Animal Welfare Board of India Trophy, a race for horses rated 60 and 86, Trevor Patel had no problem in bringing the favourite with a well-timed run. Critic`s Choice bounced clear of the front-running Denny Crane to win by a margin of four lengths. Merchantofvenice failed to get the better of long-time leader Denny Crane for the runner-up berth.

Imtiaz Sait trained Eternalinspiration produced a winning gallop in the final furlong to claim the 1200 metres Star Trainer Cup (Div I), a race for horses rated 20 to 46. Apprentice jockey D S Daman timed his challenge to a nicety as the lesser fancied runner devoured ground on the wide outside to go sailing clear of the battling duo of Never Say Never and favourite Sovereignsky. Altaf Hussain trained Angel Girl was the on money favourite to win the lower division of the race. Sandesh brought Angel Girl into contention at the top of the straight and the favourite bounced clear to record an emphatic win over Way Ahead and Blavatsky.

Vishal Gaikwad trained Intelligence was the best-performed horse in the fray for the 1600 metres Nirmal Ruia Trophy, a race for horses rated 80 and above. However, Bull Run whose best effort was the fluke win in last year`s Pune Derby was made the first favourite. In the event, jockey Trevor Patel had no problem in taking Intelligence on a successful start to finish mission which the got abroad accomplished with minimum of fuss. Remember Me who showed better alacrity at the gates ran to take the second place ahead of Staristocrat while Bull Run was not sighted at the busy end.

Pesi Shroff-trained Temerity looked outstanding in the 1600 metres Antonios Trophy, a race for horses rated 40 to 66. After letting Vision of Romance expend his energy in front, Temerity easily overhauled Zanzibar who had briefly headed the field and went sailing clear to record a win by a margin of over five lengths. Sumaaq was third.

 
 
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